ONE DAY TOUR TO KARELIA WITH A VIST TO RUSKEALA MOUNTAIN PARK
- 1 day
- Activity level
- Inside visits includedRuskeala Mountain Park, Korela Fortress
- ОptionalLadoga Skerries Boat trip
1st day
6:30 am Departure from St.Petersburg
The drive to Ruskeala will take about 3,5-4 hours. But we will take credit of this time and tell you some stories about the sights we are passing, about Karelia, about Russo-Finnish relations and also some Karelian legends. And of cause we will have some stops on the way.
Stop #1. (around 9:30)
Korela Fortress in Priosersk.
The Fortress was based at the break of the XIV century by Novgorodians to protect the borders of Russia from the Swedes. As time floated by and wars broke out, the Fortress passed from Novgorodians to Lithuania, then to the Swedes, then back to Russia. By the second half of the XVIII century the Fortress lost its strategic significance and was used as a political prison. Among the most famous prisoners were, for instance, the family of Yemelyan Pugachev and the Decembrists.
Stop #2. (around 11:30)
Lunch
We will have a stop for lunch in a cozy Karelian Cafe. We will offer you wonderful Karelian and Russian cuisine dishes, and of course there is no Karelian lunch without the famous local pastries, which are called KALITKA. There is no translation into English - you just have to try these unique little rye pies filled with mashed potatoes. Also you will have a degustation of famous Karelian liquors infused on local berries and herbs - they are unique for Karelian region and Karelia is the only place where you can get them.
Stop #3. (around 13:30)
Ahinkoski waterfalls.
Picturesque waterfalls on the rough Tohmayoki river. You can enjoy the waterfalls and have a stroll along the Eco-path laid out around the falls and decorated with hand-cut wooden figures of the personages of Karelian legends and fairytales. This place inspired artists, poets and of course movie-directors. Some most famous Russian movies were shot here.
And at last!!!! Ruskeala Mountain Park. (around 14:30-17:00)
Ruskleala is one of the gems of Karelia. A unique place, where beautiful Karelian marble was mined. This marble was used for the decoration of palaces and Cathedrals of St. Petersburg such as St.Isaak Cathedral, the Marble Palace and many others. People said that this marble has the colour of the White Nights of St.Petersbug. You will see the tall marble cliffs above the 70 meter deep Marble Lake.
The lake appeared here when in the middle of the XX century the mining works were stopped and the deserted mines were filled with ground waters. We will see the old mining corridors and caves and listen to the stories about the history of the place and also to the miners' legends about underground mountain sprites. Along with this Ruskeala is the place where you can see different folk arts and crafts. We will have a possibility to visit local workshops and a small but charming souvenir market. You will have some spare time to spend there and a possibility to have a little snack in a local cafe.
Adventure!!!!
Boat ride around the Ladoga Skerries (Fiords). (around 18:30-20:00)
There is no place more beautiful than Ladoga Skerries, which are often compared to Norwegian Fiords. We will have a little relaxing boat ride/tour around the fiords and see the mountainous islands and lagoons with their mighty pine trees holding to the rocks with their roots. We will enjoy the space of Ladoga lake, which could be called Ladoga Sea if not for the fresh waters.
We will feel the fresh air and the wind of Ladoga. If time and weather conditions allow we will have a stop at one of the islands. We will enjoy the space of Ladoga lake, which could be called Ladoga Sea if not for the fresh waters. We will feel the fresh air and the wind of Ladoga. If time and weather conditions allow we will have a stop at one of the islands.
NB!!! The boat ride is only available May to September, and even then is weather-dependent, so we offer it as an add-on option.